Mindfulness Interventions for Sexual Health and Wellness
by Kelly Scherger, PhD
2 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
BASE is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. BASE maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
DESCRIPTION
Sexual health concerns frequently present within the context of general mental health treatment (Herder, Spoelstra, Peters, & Knegtering, 2023). This course is designed for general mental health practitioners, and bridges clinical practice and empirical evidence by integrating foundational sexual health assessment skills with evidence-based mindfulness interventions for adult sexual concerns. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, the course introduces participants to conducting a basic, culturally responsive sexual health history, reviewing common DSM-5-TR sexual dysfunction diagnoses encountered in clinical practice, and applying mindfulness-based strategies to address specific sexual health difficulties.
Prior to intervention, it is essential that practitioners be able to confidently and competently gather meaningful sexual health information in order to tailor treatment (Gardiner, 2019). This course reviews essential components of taking an adult sexual health history, including development, functioning, relational context, values, and relevant medical or psychological factors. Participants will also receive an overview of diagnostic criteria and clinical presentations of common sexual dysfunctions (e.g., female sexual interest/arousal disorder, erectile disorder, orgasm difficulties, etc.). Measurement options commonly used in clinical settings will be discussed.
Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated empirical support for a range of sexual health concerns, including desire, arousal, and distress related to sexual functioning (Jaderek & Lew-Starowicz, 2019) and have been shown to be associated with greater sexual satisfaction (Peixoto, 2023) and sexual wellbeing (Leavitt, Lefkowitz, & Waterman, 2019). This course provides a clear clinical rationale for integrating mindfulness into sexual health treatment and offers practical guidance on implementation. Participants will engage in experiential mindfulness exercises and receive tangible clinical resources that can be adapted for individual adult clients presenting with sexual health concerns.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Based on the content of this workshop, you will be able to:
Describe the basic components of taking an adult sexual health history and identify commonly used assessment and measurement tools for sexual functioning and sexual distress.
Identify and explain common adult sexual difficulties and DSM-5-TR sexual dysfunction diagnoses for which mindfulness-based interventions may be clinically appropriate.
Demonstrate and apply mindfulness techniques tailored to specific sexual health concerns (e.g., desire, arousal, orgasm, etc.) in individual therapy.
Discuss and consider ethical and scope-of-practice boundaries, and identify indicators for consultation or referral to specialized providers.
AUDIENCE
This course is intended for licensed practitioners and advanced trainees who have foundational familiarity with mindfulness practice and are interested in expanding their competence in the assessment and treatment of adult sexual health difficulties. Attention will be given to clinical boundaries and indications for referral.
RESOURCES
Gardiner, L. (2019). Psychosexual history-taking in the 21st century: new terminology, new technology and new risks. BJPsych Advances, 25(3), 166-176.
Herder, T., Spoelstra, S. K., Peters, A. W. M., & Knegtering, H. (2023). Sexual dysfunction related to psychiatric disorders: a systematic review. The journal of sexual medicine, 20(7), 965-976.
Jaderek, I., & Lew-Starowicz, M. (2019). A systematic review on mindfulness meditation–based interventions for sexual dysfunctions. The journal of sexual medicine, 16(10), 1581-1596.
Leavitt, C. E., Lefkowitz, E. S., & Waterman, E. A. (2019). The role of sexual mindfulness in sexual wellbeing, Relational wellbeing, and self-esteem. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 45(6), 497-509.
Peixoto, M. M. (2023, June). Mindfulness, self-compassion, and acceptance as predictors of sexual satisfaction in cisgender heterosexual men and women. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 13, p. 1839).
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
There is no commercial support for this CE program, instructor, content of instruction, or any other relationship that could be construed as a conflict of interest. There is no endorsement of products.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations will be accepted and payments refunded in full up to two (2) weeks prior to any training event. Following two weeks prior to the event, a credit for future trainings matching the amount already paid for that event’s registration will be given to registrants who cancel their registration, for whatever reason, up to two (2) days prior to the event date. This credit can only be applied to one future training, regardless of its cost. If the cost of the future training is less than the amount paid, the difference will be lost. If the cost of the future training is greater than the credit, then the balance will become due at registration time. If a registrant cancels or no-shows within two days of the event date, a refund will not be given.
LOCATION
This CE will be located at BASE Cognitive Behavioral at 1515 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 580, Charlotte, NC 28209.
ACCESSIBILITY
BASE strives to ensure that each CE program is accessible to all participants. If you would like any accommodations, please contact us at 704-910-8381.
QUESTIONS
Please contact us at info@findyourbase.com or 704-910-8381 if you have any questions or grievances about the program.
WAITLIST
If this program is full, please email us at info@findyourbase.com to indicate your interest. If someone cancels we will contact you.